Customizable travel articles

ABSTRACT

A travel article has an interior pocket that permits the insertion and/or removal of one or more items in the pocket from only the inside of the travel article. The travel article provides a window to allow any items inside of the pocket to be seen on the outside of the travel article. The travel article can be, for example, luggage, totes, toiletry kits, brief cases, duffels, backpacks, sling packs, business cases, business or craft organizers. The provision of such a pocket can allow a user to personalize the bag and can also facilitate bag identification.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/075,291, filed on Jun. 24, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates in general to travel accessories and, moreparticularly, to travel accessories for carrying belongings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a variety of luggage products available to consumers. Despitethere being a wide selection, there is still much commonality among suchproducts. For instance, most luggage is offered in a set of standardsizes. Further, most luggage on the market is available in standardcolors, most commonly black, blue, red and green. From afar, many piecesof luggage can look alike or very similar.

In the past, luggage bags provided a holder on the outside of the bag,such as on the back or on the sides, to receive a paper identificationcard or a business card. The personal information on the card can beused to help identify the bag if it gets lost and to help the travelerconfirm ownership of the bag when collecting it at his or herdestination. The holder is typically made of leather, PVC or the samematerial as the luggage. The holder includes a window for theidentification card to show through, but the window is enclosed by therest of the holder, such as by being covered with a flap, so as tomaintain some level of privacy of the information on the card. Theholder is accessible only from the exterior of the bag. Identificationholders are sometimes provided as a separate tag that is attached to aportion of the bag, such as a handle.

However, the provision of such an identification holder does not greatlyspeed up the luggage claim process at the destination airport. Becausemany bags look alike and due to the small size of the identificationcard, which is covered, a bag typically has to be removed from theluggage carousel so that the identification card can be inspected toconfirm ownership. If it is not the correct bag, then the traveler mustput the bag back on the carousel and wait for another similar lookingbag. Thus, an identification tag may not provide much time savings inthe process. Further, because it is exposed on the outside of the bag,the identification card can fall out of its holder or can otherwisebecome separated from the bag during the rigors of handling and transit.In such case, identification efforts are further complicated. Thus,there is a need for a system that can minimize such concerns.

Moreover, luggage can suffer aesthetically from being bland anduninteresting due to the degree of commonality in luggage products. Thetraveler has few options for expressing his or her individuality orotherwise personalizing his or her luggage, particularly in aninexpensive way. Thus, there is a need for a system that can providesuch opportunities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention relate to devices, systems andassociated methods that can facilitate the customization of travelarticles. Aspects of the invention are directed to a travel article. Thetravel article can be one of a suitcase, luggage, tote, toiletry kit,brief case, duffel, backpack, sling pack, business case, businessorganizer or craft organizer.

The travel article has an exterior and an interior. The travel articleincludes a first body portion, such as a panel, with an inner side andan outer side. The outer side defines at least a portion of the exteriorof the travel article. A first passage extends through the first bodyportion from the outer side to the inner side.

A first liner is attached to the first body portion so as to form afirst pocket on the interior of the travel article. The first pocketincludes an opening. Thus, one or more items can be inserted into andremoved from the pocket through the opening. The opening is onlyaccessible from the interior of the travel article. The opening can beselectively closeable, such as by a zipper, zip lock, snap, magnet,hooks and loops, Velcro, overlapping portions of the pocket and/or afold over portion of the pocket.

The first liner can have an inner surface and an outer surface. Theinner surface can be decorated. As a result, the first window can permitvisual access to the decorated inner surface at least when the firstpocket is empty.

The pocket can be configured to allow for expansion of an interiorvolume of the pocket, so as to accommodate larger, thicker, wider,longer, bulky, non-flat and/or irregular items. In one embodiment, theliner can include pleats or other expansion allowing feature. Expansioncan be permitted in one or more directions.

A first window is attached to the first body portion so as to cover atleast a portion of the first passage. The first window can betransparent or translucent. The first window can be made of a meshmaterial. The first window can be attached to the inner side of thefirst body portion. Thus, the first window permits visual access to theinside of the first pocket from the exterior of the travel article.

A personal item can be disposed within the first pocket. Visual accessto the personal item from the exterior of the travel article can bepermitted through the first window. The personal item can be photos,coins, charms, embroidered items, screen printed items, silk screenitems, patches, logos, cards and/or any other personal item.

In one embodiment, the travel article can include a second passage. Insuch case, the first passage and the second passage can be different inat least one of size or shape. The second passage can extend through thefirst body portion from the outer side to the inner side.

Another travel article according to aspects of the invention has anexterior and an interior. The travel article includes a first bodyportion with an inner side and an outer side. The outer side defines atleast a portion of the exterior of the travel article.

A first passage extends through the first body portion from the outerside to the inner side. A first liner is attached to the first bodyportion so as to form a first pocket on the interior of the travelarticle. The first pocket includes a selectively closeable opening. Theopening is only accessible from the interior of the travel article. Theselectively closeable opening opens toward at least one of an upper endof the travel article and a side end of the travel article.

The travel article further includes a first window attached to the firstbody portion so as to cover at least a portion of the first passage. Afirst personal item is disposed within the pocket. Visual access to thefirst personal item from the exterior of the travel article is permittedthrough the first window.

The travel article can further include a second passage that extendsthrough the first body portion from the outer side to the inner side. Insuch case, a second liner can be attached to the first body portion soas to form a second pocket on the interior of the travel article. Thesecond pocket can include a selectively closeable opening. The openingis only accessible from the interior of the travel article. A secondwindow can be attached to the first body portion so as to cover at leasta portion of the second passage. A second personal item can be disposedwithin the second pocket. Visual access to the second personal item fromthe exterior of the travel article is permitted through the secondwindow.

In one embodiment, the travel article can include a second body portionthat has an inner side and an outer side. The outer side can define atleast a portion of the exterior of the travel article. A second passagecan extend through the second body portion from the outer side to theinner side. A second liner can be attached to the inner side of thesecond body portion so as to form a second pocket on the interior of thetravel article. The second pocket can include a selectively closeableopening. The opening is only accessible from the interior of the travelarticle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a suitcase in accordance with aspects ofthe invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation cross-sectional view of an outer panel of asuitcase in accordance with aspects of the invention, showing aninterior pocket with a window attached to an inner side of the outerpanel.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation cross-sectional view of an outer panel of asuitcase in accordance with aspects of the invention, showing aninterior pocket with a window located inside a passage in the outerpanel and attached to the outer panel.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of an outer panel of a suitcase inaccordance with aspects of the invention, showing a plurality ofwindowed pockets in the same outer panel.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of an inner side of an outer panel inaccordance with aspects of the invention, showing a pocket having asubstantially horizontally extending closeable opening in an upper endregion of the pocket.

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of an inner side of an outer panel inaccordance with aspects of the invention, showing a pocket having asubstantially vertically extending closeable opening in a side endregion of the pocket.

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of an inner side of an outer panel inaccordance with aspects of the invention, showing a pocket having asubstantially diagonally extending closeable opening in a central regionof the pocket.

FIG. 8 is an elevation view of an inner side of an outer panel inaccordance with aspects of the invention, showing a pocket as beingpleated along its substantially vertical sides.

FIG. 9 is an elevation view of an inner side of an outer panel inaccordance with aspects of the invention, showing a pocket as beingpleated in each of its four corners.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a backpack in accordance with aspectsof the invention, showing at least one windowed pocket in differentouter panels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention relate to devices, systems andassociated methods that can facilitate the customization of travelarticles. Embodiments according to aspects of the invention are shown inFIGS. 1-10, but the present invention is not limited to the illustratedstructure or application. Further, the following detailed description isintended only as exemplary.

The term “travel article” as used herein is intended to generally referto any of a number of items that can carry one or more items inside,including, for example, luggage, totes, toiletry kits, brief cases,duffels, backpacks, sling packs, business cases, business or craftorganizers. The term “travel article” is intended to expressly excludehand bags. It should be noted that the travel article can be used inconnection with any kind of travel activity, such as going on avacation, a business trip, going to school or going to a gym, just toname a few possibilities.

In one embodiment, the travel article can be a suitcase 10. While thefollowing description will be directed to a suitcase and, in oneinstance, a backpack, it will be understood that the discussion appliesequally to other travel articles, including any of those listed above.The suitcase 10 can have a body portion, such as an outer panel 12. Theouter panel 12 can have an inner side 14 and an outer side 16.

The outer panel 12 can define at least a portion of the exterior 18 ofthe suitcase 10. In one embodiment, there can be a plurality of bodyportions, such as outer panels 12. For example, in the context of asuitcase 10, there can be a plurality of outer panels 12: one panel candefine the front face 20 of the suitcase 10, another panel can definethe back face 22 of the suitcase 10, and one or more panels can definethe side faces 24 of the suitcase 10.

The outer panel 12 can be made of any suitable material. For example, atleast a portion of the outer panel 12 can be made of a natural fabric(such as wool, cotton, linen, or silk), synthetic fabric (such as Nylonor Polyester), canvas and/or plastic. The outer panel 12 can be made ofa relatively rigid material or of a relatively flexible material.

A passage 26 can extend through the outer panel 12, generally from theouter side 16 to the inner side 14. In a suitcase 10, the outer panel 12can be the one that defines the front face 20 of the suitcase 10. Thepassage 26 can be located in any suitable position on the outer panel12. The passage 26 can have any suitable size. The passage 26 be anyshape, including, for example, a triangle, star, oval, square,rectangle, circle, parallelogram, trapezoid or a polygon. The passage 26can be formed in the outer panel 12 by any suitable process.

In some embodiments, there can be more than one passage 26 in the outerpanel 12. FIG. 4 shows an example in which there is a plurality ofpassages 26 in the same outer panel 12. In such case, the passages 26can have any suitable arrangement and positioning. For instance, thepassages 26 can be aligned generally horizontally or generallyvertically, or the passages 26 may not be aligned at all. The passages26 can be arranged according to a pattern or to no particular pattern.The passages 26 can be identical in size and shape, or at least one ofthe passages 26 can be different in at least one of these or otherrespects. In one embodiment, the suitcase 10 can have one or morepassages 26 only in an outer panel 12 that defines the front face 20 ofthe suitcase 10, as is generally shown in FIG. 4.

In some embodiments, one or more passages 26 can be provided in two ormore different body portions or outer panels 12. This arrangement willbe described in connection with a backpack 11, such as shown in FIG. 10.The backpack 11 can have a plurality of outer panels, including firstouter panel 12 a and second outer panel 12 b. One or more passages 26(one being shown) can be provided in the first outer panel 12 a, and oneor more passages 26 (two being shown) can be provided in the secondouter panel 12 b. When a plurality of passages 26 is provided, eachpassage 26 can be substantially identical, or at least one of thepassages 26 can be different in one or more respects.

A window 28 can be provided. The window 28 can be substantially flat.The window 28 can be made of plastic. The window 28 can be made of aflexible and/or a stretchable material. In one embodiment, the window 28can be made of a mesh material. The window 28 can be relatively thin.The window 28 can be substantially transparent, which includestransparent and slight deviations therefrom. Alternatively, the window28 can also be translucent. The window 28 can be clear, or the windowcan be any of a number of other colors.

The window 28 can be attached to the outer panel 12 so as to at leastpartially close the passage 26. In one embodiment, the window 28 can beattached to the inner side 14 of the outer panel 12, as shown in FIG. 2.In such case, the window 28 will not extend beyond the outer side 16 ofthe outer panel 12. As a result, exposure of the window 28 to theexternal environment and attendant potential for wear can be minimized.

In another embodiment, the window 28 can reside inside the passage 26and can be attached to the outer panel 12 within the passage 26 itself,as shown in FIG. 3. The window 28 can be attached to the outer panel 12in any suitable manner. In one embodiment, the window 28 can be attachedto the outer panel 12 by stitching 30. Alternatively or in addition, thewindow 28 can be attached to the outer panel 12 by adhesives and/orfasteners.

According to aspects to the invention, a pocket 32 can be formed on theinterior 42 of the suitcase 10. The pocket 32 can be defined in part bya portion of the outer panel 12 including the window 28. As a result,the window 28 can permit visual access to the inside 34 of the pocket32. The pocket 32 can be further defined by a liner 36 attached to theinner side 14 of the outer panel 12 in a region that completely includesat least a portion of the window 28. The liner 36 can be attached to theouter panel 12 in any suitable manner, including, for instance, bystitching 38, adhesives and/or fasteners. In one embodiment, the liner36 can be securely attached so that it cannot be readily removed ordetached from the outer panel 12.

The liner 36 can be made of the same material as the outer panel 12.Alternatively, the liner 36 can be made of a different material than theouter panel 12. A different material can help to make the window 28stand out, or it can accent the suitcase 10. The liner material can bescreen printed, embroidered or otherwise decorated so that an pleasingappearance is given when the pocket 32 is viewed through the window 28,particularly when the pocket 32 is empty.

Access to the inside 34 of the pocket 32 can be by way of an opening 40.The opening 40 is located such that it can only be accessed from theinterior 42 of the suitcase 10. The opening 40 can be a selectivelycloseable opening. The opening 40 can be made selectively closeable inany of a number of manners, including by zipper 44 (FIG. 7), zip lock 46(FIG. 5), snaps, magnets, hooks and loops, Velcro 48 (FIG. 6) or othersuitable closing structure. Alternatively or in addition, the liner 36can be configured so that the material can be arranged in anoverlapping, flap-over 50 (FIG. 6) or fold over manner. Of course, anycombination of these manners of closure is possible.

The closable opening 40 can be provided in any suitable location on thepocket 32. The closeable opening 40 can be oriented in any suitabledirection. In one embodiment, the closeable opening 40 can extendgenerally horizontally across an upper end region 52 of the pocket 32,as shown in FIG. 5. In such case, the opening 40 can open toward theupper end of the suitcase 10. In another embodiment, the closeableopening 40 can extend generally vertically across one of the side endregions 56 of the pocket 32, as shown in FIG. 6. In such case, theopening 40 can open toward one of the sides of the suitcase 10. In yetanother embodiment, the closeable opening 40 can extend generallyhorizontally, generally vertically or generally diagonally across acentral region 58 of the pocket 32. It should be noted that the termshorizontally, vertically, upper and lower are intended to refer todirections when the suitcase 10 is in its normal usage position.

Of course, a closeable opening 40 that is a combination of two or moreof the above features is entirely possible. For instance, the closeableopening 40 can extend in two regions of the pocket 32. For instance, theopening 40 can extend along the upper end region 52 and one of theconnecting side regions 56. Providing the closeable opening 40 in theside end region 56 of the pocket 32 can provide an added measure ofsecurity and theft deterrent due to it being potentially for being morechallenging to access compared to when the opening 40 in the provided inthe upper rend region 52.

The opening 40 can provide direct, quick and relatively easy access tothe pocket 32. The pocket 32 can be covered by an additional lining (notshown) associated with the outer panel 12 of the suitcase 10. However,in some instances, the pocket 32 may not be covered by an additionalliner on the outer panel 12 of the suitcase 10. As a result, noadditional lining needs to be removed or opened in order to access thepocket 32, thereby facilitating the quick and easy access to the pocket32.

The pocket 32 can be configured to allow for expansion of its interiorvolume to accommodate large, thicker, width, longer, bulky, non-flat orirregular items. In one embodiment, the liner 36 can include pleats 60or other expansion allowing feature, as is generally shown in FIG. 5.The pleats 60 can be any suitable type of pleat.

Expansion can be permitted in one or more directions. For instance, thepocket 32 can expand inwardly, that is, toward the interior 42 of thesuitcase 10 and away from the window 28. Alternatively or in addition,the pocket 32 can be expanded in the direction of one or more of itssides and/or in the direction of one or more of its corners 61. FIG. 8shows an example in which at least one of the side regions 56 of thepocket 32 includes a pleat 60. FIG. 9 shows an example in which eachcorner 61 of the pocket 32 includes a pleat 60. In addition toaccommodating items, the pleats 60 can allow for easier insertion andremoval of items in the pocket 32.

It will be appreciated that the provision of a travel article with aninterior pocket 32 can enable a user to personalize their travelarticles by inserting one or more items 62 into the pocket 32, asgenerally shown in FIG. 10. The items 62 can be any personal items,including, for example, photos 62 a, coins 62 b, charms 62 c,embroidered items, screen printed items, silk screen items, patches,logos, cards and/or any other personal items. These items 62 will showthrough the window 28. Thus, the user will be able to enjoy theuniqueness of his or her travel article.

The items 62 can only be inserted or removed from the inside 42 of thesuitcase 10. The items 62 cannot be removed from the exterior of thesuitcase 10. The pocket 32 will securely hold the items 62 in place andthe potential for loss can be minimized. The items 62 can serve as a bagidentifier so as to enable travelers to quickly identify their bags.

Aspects of the invention can also be beneficial in the premiummarketplace. Currently, a purchaser of a premium product (for example, acompany who wishes to purchase a luggage bearing the company's logo) istypically required to custom order their products at a premium price.Aspects of the invention can allow a company to purchase stock travelarticles, and the company can customize the travel article in its ownway by inserting whatever they want into the pocket, such as logos,symbols, tag lines, events, etc. Travel articles can be identified veryeasily without the need for custom manufacturing, thereby allowing forappreciable cost savings.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificdetails described herein, which are given by way of example only, andthat various modifications and alterations are possible within the scopeof the invention.

1. A travel article having an exterior and an interior comprising: afirst body portion having an inner side and an outer side, the outerside defining at least a portion of the exterior of the travel article;a first passage extending through the first body portion from the outerside to the inner side; a first liner attached to the first body portionso as to form a first pocket on the interior of the travel article, thefirst pocket including an opening, whereby one or more items can beinserted into and removed from the pocket through the opening, whereinthe opening is only accessible from the interior of the travel article;and a first window attached to the first body portion so as to cover atleast a portion of the first passage, whereby the first window permitsvisual access to the inside of the first pocket from the exterior of thetravel article.
 2. The travel article of claim 1 wherein the travelarticle is one of a suitcase, luggage, tote, toiletry kit, brief case,duffel, backpack, sling pack, business case, business organizer or craftorganizer.
 3. The travel article of claim 1 wherein the first window istransparent.
 4. The travel article of claim 1 wherein the first windowis translucent.
 5. The travel article of claim 1 wherein the firstwindow is a mesh material.
 6. The travel article of claim 1 wherein thefirst window is attached to the inner side of the first body portion. 7.The travel article of claim 1 wherein the first body portion is a panel.8. The travel article of claim 1 wherein the liner includes an innersurface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface is decorated,whereby the first window permits visual access to the decorated innersurface when the first pocket is empty.
 9. The travel article of claim 1wherein the liner is configured to allow for expansion of an interiorvolume of the pocket.
 10. The travel article of claim 9 wherein theliner is pleated.
 11. The travel article of claim 1 wherein the openingis selectively closeable by at least one of a zipper, zip lock, snap,magnet, hooks and loops or Velcro.
 12. The travel article of claim 1wherein the opening is selectively closeable by at least one ofoverlapping portions of the pocket and a fold over portion of thepocket.
 13. The travel article of claim 1 further including a personalitem disposed within the first pocket, whereby visual access to thepersonal item from the exterior of the travel article is permittedthrough the first window.
 14. The travel article of claim 13 wherein thepersonal item is one of photos, coins, charms, embroidered items, screenprinted items, silk screen items, patches, logos and cards.
 15. Thetravel article of claim 1 further including a second passage.
 16. Thetravel article of claim 15 wherein the first passage and the secondpassage are different in at least one of size or shape.
 17. The travelarticle of claim 15 wherein the second passage extends through the firstbody portion from the outer side to the inner side.
 18. A travel articlehaving an exterior and an interior comprising: a first body portionhaving an inner side and an outer side, the outer side defining at leasta portion of the exterior of the travel article; a first passageextending through the first body portion from the outer side to theinner side; a first liner attached to the first body portion so as toform a first pocket on the interior of the travel article, the firstpocket including a selectively closeable opening, wherein the opening isonly accessible from the interior of the travel article, wherein theselectively closeable opening opens toward at least one of an upper endof the travel article and a side end of the travel article; a firstwindow attached to the first body portion so as to cover at least aportion of the first passage; and a first personal item disposed withinthe pocket, whereby visual access to the first personal item from theexterior of the travel article is permitted through the first window.19. The travel article of claim 18 further including: a second passageextending through the first body portion from the outer side to theinner side; a second liner attached to the first body portion so as toform a second pocket on the interior of the travel article, the secondpocket including a selectively closeable opening, wherein the opening isonly accessible from the interior of the travel article; a second windowattached to the first body portion so as to cover at least a portion ofthe second passage; and a second personal item disposed within thesecond pocket, whereby visual access to the second personal item fromthe exterior of the travel article is permitted through the secondwindow.
 20. The travel article of claim 18 further including: a secondbody portion having an inner side and an outer side, the outer sidedefining at least a portion of the exterior of the travel article; asecond passage extending through the second body portion from the outerside to the inner side; a second liner attached to the inner side of thesecond body portion so as to form a second pocket on the interior of thetravel article, the second pocket including a selectively closeableopening, wherein the opening is only accessible from the interior of thetravel article; a second window attached to the second body portion soas to cover at least a portion of the second passage; and a secondpersonal item disposed within the second pocket, whereby visual accessto the second personal item from the exterior of the travel article ispermitted through the second window.